Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid Positivity in Screening and Early Detection of Cervical Dysplasia in Africa, 2023: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA) is the best feasible method of screening and early detecting for cervical dysplasia for resource limited settings like Africa. There is no study that can represent Africa on VIA positivity. Therefore, this metaanalysis was planned to verify the best available articles to pool the visual inspection with acetic acid positivity in screening and early detection of cervical dysplasia in Africa. Methods: The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, free Google database search engines, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases were used to conduct a true search of this research article. STATA version 14.0 was used to do the metaanalysis. This meta-analysis was registered in PROSPERO database under the identity pf CRD42023392197. Result: This meta-analysis analyzed data from 21,066 women who had VIA examination to estimate the pooled VIA positivity in Africa. The overall pooled effect estimate of VIA positivity in Africa was 11.93 (95%CI: 11.48-12.37). Age <16 year during first intercourse 2.58(95%CI: 1.53-3.62), lifetime sexual partner ≥2 3.92(95%CI: 2.05-5.78) and HIV positivity 2.92(95%CI: 1.72-4.12) were the significant variables which influence VIA positivity. Conclusion: Overall pooled effect estimate of VIA positivity in Africa was high compared to other continents. The main factors that affect VIA positivity are age at first sexual contact being under 16 years old, the number of lifetime sexual partners being at least two, and HIV positivity. Therefore, the WHO's goal of creating Africa free of cervical cancer is still one that requires significant effort.

Knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening and associated factors among reproductive age group women in districts of Gurage zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a malignant tumor of the lower-most part of the uterus and major cause of morbidity and mortality among women's in the world. Its high mortality rate in the globe can be reduced through comprehensive approaches' that include; primary prevention, early diagnosis, effective screening, and treatment packages. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening and its associated factors among reproductive age group women in districts of Gurage zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2019. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 1-30, 2019. A total of 268 respondents were selected using a systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using pretested, semi-structured, and interviewer-administered questionnaires. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1software and exported to SPSS 24 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses with a 95% confidence level was done and variables (P <0.05) were deemed statistically significant. RESULT: A total of 260 respondents participated in the study with a response rate of 97%. About 3.8% of the respondents had experiences cervical cancer screening and 26.2% of respondents had good knowledge. Early age at first sex [AOR = 6.05 (95%CI; 1.167-31.36)], having information about cervical cancer [(AOR = 10.2 (95% CI 1.9-96.4)], and multiple sexual partners [AOR = 3.96 (95% CI; 1.48-10.58)] were factors affecting the practice of cervical cancer screening. Being uneducated [AOR = 15.5 (95%CI; 3.82-62.967)], family history of cervical cancer [AOR = 14.158 (95%CI;3.88-51.7)], having plans to screen for cervical cancer [AOR = 0.352 (95%CI;.175-.710)], menarcheal age [AOR = 2.63 (95%CI;1.28-5.37)] and age at first sex [AOR = 3.17 (95%CI;1.283-7.837)] were factors affecting knowledge of cervical screening. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that respondents' practice and knowledge of cervical cancer is mainly affected by early age at first sex, having information about cervical cancer, multiple sexual partners, Educational status, family history of cervical cancer, having plans to screen for cervical cancer, age at first sex and age of menarche. Therefore, all concerned bodies need to focus on women in the reproductive age group to increase the level of knowledge and practice of cervical cancer screening through appropriate interventions.